College Football's All-Week 8 First Team: Top Performers at Every Position

Headlined by two of the nation's most productive quarterbacks, Bleacher Report's All-Week 8 first and second teams include several household names.

Meanwhile, some of the best non-power-conference players had their biggest games of the season and earned places.

Every player from every game involving an FBS team was eligible for the list. Competition level, clutch plays and efficiency were taken into consideration, but whether a team won or lost had little effect.

Many other individuals put up massive numbers, but they couldn't all make the cut. Feel free to add your favorite performance of the weekend in the comments section.

Quarterback

First Team: Patrick Mahomes II, Texas Tech

You will not convince me there is a quarterback more entertaining than Patrick Mahomes II. Texas Tech's gunslinger was an absolute nightmare for Oklahoma to defend Saturday night.

Despite the 66-59 shootout loss, the Red Raiders converted 22 of 27 third- and fourth-down situations en route to 854 yards of total offense. And Mahomes only accounted for 95.9 percent of them.

He set an NCAA record with 819 yards of total offense and narrowly missed the mark for single-game passing attempts (89) by a single throw. Mahomes tied the single-game passing record with 734 yards, finishing with a total of seven touchdowns and 85 rushing yards.

It's not Mahomes' fault Texas Tech is allergic to defense.

Second Team: Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma

But it's not Baker Mayfield's problem, either. He completed 27 of 36 passes for 545 yards and a school-record seven touchdowns, leading Oklahoma to 854 total offensive yards. Mayfield, who started for Texas Tech as a freshman, earned the last laugh in his revenge game.

Running Back

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First Team: Joe Mixon, Oklahoma

We're not moving from the track meet in Lubbock. Texas Tech couldn't contain sophomore Joe Mixon.

Filling in for the injured Samaje Perine, Mixon handled a career-high 31 carries and scampered for 263 yards and two touchdowns. He also grabbed four passes, collecting 114 yards and three scores.

First Team: Joe Williams, Utah

Two weeks ago, this wasn't possible. Joe Williams had retired from football, but Utah coaches convinced him to return.

Good thing, too. Williams shredded UCLA for a school-record 332 yards, reaching the end zone four times in a 52-45 victory. After an early three-yard touchdown, he scored from 42, 64 and 55 yards out.

"I'm pretty sure they're tired of seeing the back of my jersey," Williams said, according to Kyle Bonagura of ESPN.com.

Second Team: Leonard Fournette, LSU

An ankle injury sidelined Leonard Fournette for the last two weeks. He made up for lost time against Ole Miss. Fournette set a program record with 284 yards on just 16 carries, scoring three times. He added 25 yards on three catches during the 38-21 win.

Second Team: Brian Hill, Wyoming

Brian Hill is quietly destroying defenses. In Week 8, the junior recorded his seventh career 200-yard game, collecting a career-high 289 throughout Wyoming's 42-34 triumph of Nevada. Hill scored three touchdowns and also tallied a 13-yard reception.

Wide Receiver

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First Team: Cody Thompson, Toledo

Cody Thompson made his catches count.

Toledo mustered one field goal during the first half, but Thompson grabbed four touchdown passes during the final 30 minutes. He ended the 31-17 victory with seven catches for 122 yards.

"It seemed like he was always open today," quarterback Logan Woodside said, according to Brian Buckey of the Toledo Blade.

First Team: Kahlil Lewis, Cincinnati

The return of Gunner Kiel paid dividends for Kahlil Lewis.

"We stayed after practice and worked on everything," Lewis said, per Tom Groeschen of the Cincinnati Enquirer. "We put in a lot of work."

Kiel started his first game of 2016, and the duo connected 11 times throughout the 31-19 win over East Carolina. Lewis had career-high totals across the board, tallying 150 yards and three touchdowns.

Second Team: Taywan Taylor, Western Kentucky

Taywan Taylor only found the end zone once during the first four games of the year. During the last four contests, however, defenses are having a hard time keeping him out. Taylor scored a season-best three touchdowns on Saturday to bring his total to eight. He snatched 10 passes for 123 yards in Western Kentucky's 59-24 triumph of Old Dominion.

Second Team: Dede Westbrook, Oklahoma

After another explosive game, Dede Westbrook secured a place on his third straight All-Week team. He reeled in nine passes for an FBS-high 202 yards and two touchdowns. With 52 receptions for 930 yards and 10 scores, Westbrook has already surpassed his 2015 numbers.

Tight End

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First Team: Nate Iese, UCLA

UCLA couldn't stop Williams on the ground, but Utah had trouble containing Nate Iese through the air.

The senior tight end put up career-high numbers in the loss, securing eight passes for 146 yards and two touchdowns. Iese shattered his previous bests of five catches and 89 yards.

Second Team: Adam Breneman, Massachusetts

Adam Breneman battled through an injury-riddled career at Penn State, never living up to the recruiting hype. The 2016 season must feel great for the graduate transfer, who accumulated nine receptions for 94 yards and two touchdowns in Week 8. Breneman leads the Minutemen with 44 grabs for 484 yards this year.

Offensive Line

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First Team: Auburn

The best picture available of Auburn offensive lineman shows Sean White throwing from a clean pocket. But there's a good reason that's the premier snapshot: The running lanes were enormous.

Led by Kamryn Pettway, the Tigers shredded Arkansas for 543 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground. Pettway had a career-high 192 yards, while Eli Stove (94), Kam Martin (80) and Stanton Truitt (78) each contributed in a big way.

Additionally, quarterbacks White (61) and John Franklin III (39) combined for exactly 100 more. They added 89 yards through the air—not that Auburn needed to pass during the 56-3 throttling.

Second Team: New Mexico

New Mexico jumped on Louisiana-Monroe with a pick-six. Then the running game took over. The Lobos scored three of their five rushing scores during the first quarter, starting fast in what would be a 59-17 rout. Tyrone Owens' 171 yards led New Mexico, which accumulated a season-best 476 yards as a team.

Defensive End

First Team: Jonathan Allen, Alabama

"I'm just trying to go out there and think about what I got to do to help this team out," Jonathan Allen said after Alabama's 33-14 win over Texas A&M, per Rainer Sabin of AL.com.

Um, you could say that again.

Allen terrorized the Aggies to the tune of six tackles, one sack, four quarterback hurries and a 30-yard fumble return for a touchdown. He definitely went out there and helped the Tide.

First Team: Garrett Sickels, Penn State

Garrett Sickels served a one-half suspension against Ohio State. It's safe to say he was motivated to play.

The senior racked up nine tackles (3.5 for loss) and 2.5 sacks, each of which came during the third quarter. Sickels played an important role in limiting Ohio State's offense and allowed the Nittany Lions to finish off the upset in the fourth quarter.

Second Team: Jarvis Pruitt, SMU

SMU pulled off the stunner of Week 8, upending 11th-ranked Houston in convincing fashion. Jarvis Pruitt registered three sacks during the 38-16 triumph, tripling his season total to 4.5. Pruitt gathered five total tackles and also recovered a fumble.

Second Team: Hendrick Ekpe, Minnesota

While Minnesota survived a scare against Rutgers, Hendrick Ekpe had a career day. He recorded a career-best six tackles, notching three stops behind the line of scrimmage and two sacks. Ekpe also forced a fumble that led to a Minnesota touchdown.

Defensive Tackle

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First Team: Woody Baron, Virginia Tech

Woody Baron capitalized on the weaknesses of Miami's below-average offensive line. Again and again and again.

The senior spent his Thursday night in the backfield, posting six tackles with a stunning 4.5 for loss. Baron added two hurries to his career-high 2.5 sacks during the 37-16 triumph over the Hurricanes.

Most impressively, Baron accomplished those numbers without Virginia Tech's top linemen, Ken Ekanem and Nigel Williams.

First Team: Elliot Hoyte, Boise State

Boise State continued its push toward an undefeated regular season, clipping BYU 28-27. It helped that Elliot Hoyte provided the biggest numbers of his college career.

A native of England, Hoyte collected seven tackles. He recorded 2.5 stops behind the line of scrimmage and 1.5 sacks, one of which came on BYU's final drive of the game.

Second Team: Jaleel Johnson, Iowa

The result wasn't what Iowa wanted, but the defense couldn't have asked for much more from Jaleel Johnson. He posted a pair of sacks, totaling four tackles in the 19-7 loss at Wisconsin. It was Johnson's first career multisack game.

Second Team: Lorenzo Neal, Purdue

Thanks to a respectable day up front, Purdue gave Nebraska a better game than expected. Lorenzo Neal and Co. surrendered 4.2 yards per carry, the Boilermakers' third-lowest mark of the season. Neal had six tackles, including three for loss, and one sack.

Outside Linebacker

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First Team: Brandon Bell, Penn State

Just two weeks ago, Penn State had a linebacker problem. Saturday night, the linebackers were the biggest problem for Ohio State.

Brandon Bell returned from his four-game absence and accumulated a career-high 19 tackles. The senior chipped in one sack and a pass breakup during the Nittany Lions' upset win.

First Team: Parris Bennett, Syracuse

One week after knocking off Virginia Tech, Syracuse started a winning streak with a 28-20 victory over Boston College.

Parris Bennett collected 11 tackles throughout the game, but his interception turned the momentum for good. Bennett picked off Patrick Towles at the 7-yard line, protecting a 14-10 edge. Syracuse scored a touchdown on the ensuing drive.

Second Team: Julian Jones, Illinois

Alongside standout inside linebacker Hardy Nickerson, Julian Jones put together a respectable day at third-ranked Michigan. Jones, who was making his second career start, totaled 11 tackles. After a dreadful start, Illinois allowed just 10 points over the final eight drives.

Second Team: D.J. Palmore, Navy

In Week 8, Navy moved two steps closer to securing the AAC West Division title. Houston lost to SMU, and the Midshipmen locked up the tiebreaker over Memphis. D.J. Palmore was an integral piece of the 42-28 triumph, tallying six stops, three tackles for loss, two sacks and one quarterback hurry.

Inside Linebacker

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First Team: Duke Riley, LSU

"Duke Riley is all over the field tonight," Andrew Lopez of NOLA.com said. And it showed in the box score, too.

The senior linebacker posted a career-high 14 tackles, including 1.5 for loss. Riley also grabbed his first career interception during the second half, when he and LSU shut down Chad Kelly and the explosive Ole Miss offense.

Second Team: Jahlani Tavai, Hawaii

A member of the All-Week 6 second team, Jahlani Tavai was a constant presence around the football against Air Force. He registered 13 tackles with 2.5 stops for loss and also forced a fumble. Tavai ranks 30th in the nation with 70 tackles in 2016.

Cornerback

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First Team: Eric Jenkins, North Texas

Moments after North Texas had a 34-yard touchdown pass, Eric Jenkins scored a 34-yarder of his own. He plays defense.

The junior college transfer—who also returned an interception to the house in Week 7—had two tackles (one for loss) and two pass breakups during the 35-18 win at Army.

First Team: B.J. Clay, Georgia State

Georgia State made its homecoming crowd happy with a 31-6 victory over Tennessee-Martin. It was a little too interesting until the defense had two straight touchdowns.

B.J. Clay provided the second score, picking off a Gunnar Holcombe pass and taking it 38 yards. Clay had two interceptions in addition to three solo tackles and three pass breakups.

Second Team: Chris Jackson, Marshall

Freshmen dotted the Marshall secondary in Week 8, but Chris Jackson still stood out. He accumulated a career-high eight tackles (two for loss) and one sack. Jackson also grabbed an interception, which set up a Thundering Herd touchdown.

Second Team: Clifton Duck, Appalachian State

Clifton Duck swiped a pair of interceptions to help Appalachian State pull away from a pesky Idaho team. He scampered 44 yards for a touchdown on the first pick and grabbed the other interception at the 11-yard line. Duck added a quarterback hurry.

Safety

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First Team: Kieron Williams, Nebraska

Sometimes accidents are beautiful. That was the case for Kieron Williams, who intercepted a halfback pass.

"I was actually not at the right spot," he said, per Brian Christopherson and Brent C. Wagner of the Lincoln Journal Star. "I don't know how good that is going to go over tomorrow. But I saw their running back putting his arm up and getting ready to throw and I just thought I would try to go get it."

Williams finished the 27-14 victory over Purdue with two picks, four tackles (one for loss) and one pass breakup.

First Team: Tedric Thompson, Colorado

If you weren't already taking Mike MacIntyre's team seriously, it's time. Colorado went on the road and edged Stanford 10-5.

Tedric Thompson managed a modest five tackles, but he grabbed a pair of interceptions. One kept Stanford off the board before halftime, and the other led to a Buffs field goal.

Second Team: Tyrell Gilbert, Cincinnati

Kiel sparked the Bearcats, and Tyrell Gilbert sealed the victory. The sophomore had seven tackles and a forced fumble, but his interception—the third of Gilbert's career—eliminated any chance for East Carolina to mount a comeback.

Second Team: Fish Smithson, Kansas

There aren't many good things happening when it comes to Kansas football, but Fish Smithson is one. He amassed a career-high 16 tackles, highlighted by career sack No. 1. Smithson forced and recovered the fumble on the play, too.

Kicker

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First Team: Austin MacGinnis, Kentucky

Austin MacGinnis missed a 28-yard field goal on Kentucky's first possession, but he atoned for the mistake when the game was on the line. The sophomore drilled a 51-yarder as time expired, lifting the Wildcats to a 40-38 win over Mississippi State. MacGinnis also hit field goals from 46, 32 and 32, as well as two extra points.

Second Team: Blanton Creque, Louisville

Only one kicker accounted for more than 15 points, and Blanton Creque had 18. Louisville's specialist buried all four of his field goals, connecting from 37, 33, 24 and 27 yards. Creque added six extra points throughout the 54-13 beatdown of North Carolina State.

Punter

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First Team: Jake Bailey, Stanford

Stanford's offense struggled for the fourth straight week, so there wasn't much memorable for the Cardinal. At least Jake Bailey didn't compound the problems. The sophomore tallied 50.6 yards per punt on six kicks, boasting a 61-yard long.

Second Team: Alan Luna, UTEP

The offense didn't provide much help for Alan Luna. Of his six punts, Luna booted four from inside UTEP's 20-yard line. Nevertheless, he averaged 46.3 yards—the second-highest clip of Luna's 2016 season—with a long of 57.

Returner

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First Team: Carlos Henderson, Louisiana Tech

Carlos Henderson—who accumulated 558 receiving yards and eight scores over the previous two games—took a break from obliterating defensive backfields to shine as an all-around weapon.

With a 92-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, the speedster ended Florida International's hopes of a comeback. Henderson registered 84 yards on his three other returns, adding six receptions for 68 yards and picking up 44 rushing yards on two carries.

Second Team: Tim White, Arizona State

Only Tim White had more than 50 kick- and punt-return yards in Week 8. Arizona State scored a touchdown after his game-opening 41-yard kick return, and White's 70-yard punt return brought the Sun Devils within striking distance during the fourth quarter. He chipped in three catches for 48 yards.